Medical illuminator flexible led printed circuit board assembly and method

ABSTRACT

A device for variable polarization by an illumination device for illuminating organic tissue. The device includes a first set of one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), a first polarizer arranged to polarize light emitted from the first set of LEDs in a first polarization direction, a second set of one or more LEDs, a second polarizer arranged to polarize light emitted from the second set of LEDs in a second polarization direction. A lens is arranged to collect light from organic tissue illuminated by the first and/or second sets of LEDs including a viewing polarizer arranged to polarize the light collected from the organic tissue in the second polarization direction. A signal generator is operable to signal one or more drivers for driving one of the first and second sets according a signal value and driving the other of the first and second sets according to an inverse value thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to and claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/933,883, filed Nov. 11, 2019 and entitled“MEDICAL ILLUMINATOR WITH VARIABLE POLARIZATION,” the entire contents ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a hand-held illuminationdevice used in medical examinations. More particularly, the presentdisclosure relates to an improved apparatus for enhanced viewing andillumination for medical examinations using cross-polarized andparallel-polarized light to aid in viewing internal structures as wellas the skin surface.

Background

Medical examinations by physicians may employ the use of hand-heldilluminators to assist the doctor in magnified and non-magnified viewingof the tissue of a patient. Hand-held illuminators without magnificationinclude pen lights, which are widely used by general medicalpractitioners. Also, physicians and medical practitioners make use ofhand-held illumination devices that have magnification includingotoscopes, ophthalmoscopes and dermatoscopes. Typical otoscopes,ophthalmoscopes and dermatoscopes include a single lens formagnification and are designed for particular types of examination.However, a device that uses two magnification viewing lenses each havingdifferent powered magnification is described in U.S. Pat. No.10,441,379, issued on Oct. 15, 2019 to Mullani entitled MultipurposeMedical Illuminator with Magnification, the substance of which is whollyincorporated herein by reference.

Hand-held dermoscopy devices that use light with magnification canutilize polarizers or liquid-glass interfaces to reduce surfacereflection and aid in viewing of deeper structures in the skin. Forexample, the DermLite® Platinum® product, manufactured by 3Gen, LLC, wasdeveloped to provide variable polarization. Variable polarization isachieved by a rotating dial. Rotation of the polarizer to across-polarization orientation cancels out the surface reflection for anin-depth look at the deeper pigmentation in lesion structure. Rotationto a parallel polarization orientation allows a clear view of the skinsurface. The DermLite® Platinum® product requires manual manipulation ofthe dial which may cause the user to lose the viewing spot, or otherwiseinterfere with examination. Further, DermLite® Platinum® does notprovide a user the ability to view the skin with an instantaneous switchover from cross-polarization to parallel polarization. U.S. Pat. No.5,742,392 issued on Apr. 21, 1998 to Anderson entitled PolarizedMaterial Inspection Apparatus the entire substance of which isincorporated herein by reference also discusses a rotatable polarizer tocapture intermediate polarizations mechanically.

Additional dermoscopy apparatuses that employ light polarization to aidin viewing human skin surfaces and deeper tissue and structures of theskin are known and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,006,223, issued on Feb.28, 2006 to Mullani, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,167,243, issued Jan. 23, 2007to Mullani both entitled Dermoscopy Epiluminescence Device EmployingCross and Parallel Polarization, the substance of each of which iswholly incorporated herein by reference. While the apparatuses describedin these patents allow for an instantaneous switch over fromcross-polarization to parallel polarization by digital control, they donot present any solutions for extending such digital control to allowfor the intermediate polarizations that are possible with the manualdial of the DermLite® Platinum® product. A dermoscopy device identifiedas the Dermlite® DL3 device is manufactured and marketed by 3Gen, Inc.of San Juan Capistrano, Calif. which uses light and polarization. In theDermlite® DL3 hand-held device, a series of light emitting diodes(“LEDs”) are concentrically positioned around a magnifying lens toassist in lighting of a magnified image. The device includes LEDs thatprovide reduced glare and cross-polarized light to aid in canceling thereflected light from the skin, and other LEDs on the device providenon-polarized light for traditional immersion fluid dermoscopy or forsimply employing non-polarized light.

It is also well known that different colored light penetrates todifferent depths in human skin tissue. Specific color wavelengths areabsorbed differently by different components of the skin tissue. Suchuse of colored LEDs in a dermatoscope is described in U.S. Pat. No.7,027,153, issued on Apr. 11, 2006 to Mullani, and U.S. Pat. No.7,167,244, issued on Jan. 23, 2007 to Mullani, both entitled DermoscopyEpiluminescence Device Employing Multiple Color Illumination Sources,the substance of each of which is wholly incorporated herein byreference. The previously identified references disclose the combineduse of white LEDs, UV/blue LEDs (405 nm), green/yellow LEDs (565 nm) andorange/red (630 nm). Alternatively, the U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,027,153 and7,167,244 references suggest the use of LEDs with 480 nm, 580 nm and 660nm wavelengths. In addition, a dermoscopy device identified as theDermlite® II Multispectral dermoscopy device manufactured and marketedby 3Gen, Inc. of San Juan Capistrano, Calif. provides four sets of LED'scomprising white, blue light (470 nm) for surface pigmentation, yellowlight (580 nm) for superficial vascularity viewing, and red light (660nm) for viewing of pigmentation and vascularity with thedeeper-penetrating red light frequency.

Dermotoscopes using coloured LEDs to augment the viewing of pigmentationof human tissue including skin are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No.9,458,990, issued Oct. 4, 2016 to Mullani entitled DermoscopyIllumination Device With Selective Polarization And Orange Light ForEnhanced Viewing of Pigmented Tissue, the substance of which is whollyincorporated herein by reference. In addition, a dermoscopy deviceidentified as the Dermlite® DL4 dermoscopy device manufactured andmarketed by 3Gen, Inc. of San Juan Capistrano, Calif. providescombinations of white LED lights and orange LED lights in both polarizedand non-polarized combinations to provide enhanced viewing of skinpigmentation.

Furthermore, hand-held medical illuminators have been used to introducelight into human tissue for observing sub-dermal structures usingside-transillumination techniques whereby the light source is caused tobe in direct contact with the skin to transfer light directly into theskin. One such technique is known and taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,923,issued on Sep. 15, 1992 to Dhawan entitled Apparatus And Method For SkinLesion Examination, the substance of which is wholly incorporated hereinby reference. A combination of a surface illumination, epiluminescenceand transillumination apparatus and method is demonstrated in theNevoscope™ product manufactured by Translite LLC of Sugar Land, Tex.Another known apparatus and method of viewing vein structures beneaththe skin employs the use of transillumination as described in U.S. Pat.No. 7,874,698, issued on Jan. 25, 2011 to Mullani entitledTranslumination Having Orange Color Light, the substance of which iswholly incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,698describes the use of orange light between 580 and 620 nm fortransillumination imaging of deeper blood vessels in skin tissue.

When employing light polarization to aid in viewing deeper structures ofthe skin, it would be desirable to allow for a wide range of selectionby the user while avoiding cumbersome and error-prone manual controls.In addition when employing light polarization, it would be desirable toachieve incremental changes in the polarization without the requirementof mechanically rotating a polarizers over a wide range of polarizationselection.

All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extentas if each individual publication or patent application werespecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference isinconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein,the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definitionof that term in the reference does not apply.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure contemplates various devices for overcoming theabove drawbacks accompanying the known art. One aspect of theembodiments of the present disclosure is an illumination device forilluminating organic tissue such as a patient's skin. The illuminationdevice may include a first set of one or more light emitting diodes(LEDs), a first polarizer arranged to polarize light emitted from thefirst set of one or more LEDs in a first polarization direction or firstpolarization state, a second set of one or more LEDs, a second polarizerarranged to polarize light emitted from the second set of one or moreLEDs in a second polarization direction or second polarization state, alens arranged to collect light from organic tissue illuminated by eitherone or both of the first and second sets of one or more LEDs, a viewingpolarizer arranged to polarize the light collected from the organictissue in the second polarization direction or second polarizationstate, a pulse generator operable to generate a pulsed voltage having anadjustable pulse width, and one or more drivers for driving one of thefirst and second sets of one or more LEDs according to the pulsedvoltage and driving the other of the first and second sets of one ormore LEDs according to an inverse of the pulsed voltage.

A further embodiment of the disclosed device relates to is anillumination device for illuminating organic tissue such as a patient'sskin. The illumination device may include a first set of one or morelight emitting diodes (LEDs), a first polarizer arranged to polarizelight emitted from the first set of one or more LEDs in a firstpolarization direction or first polarization state, a second set of oneor more LEDs, a second polarizer arranged to polarize light emitted fromthe second set of one or more LEDs in a second polarization direction orsecond polarization state, a lens arranged to collect light from organictissue illuminated by either one or both of the first and second sets ofone or more LEDs, a viewing polarizer arranged to polarize the lightcollected from the organic tissue in the second polarization directionor second polarization state. A microprocessor for receiving a userinput signal to drive one or more drivers for driving one of the firstand second sets of one or more LEDs according to a predetermined ratiofor setting the light intensity of the first and second sets of LEDs toachieve variable polarization without the need to mechanically rotate apolarizer. A dial is provided to adjust the light intensity, wherein themovement of the dial is detected by an optical encoder and the opticalencoder transmits a signal related to the detected movement of the dialto a microprocessor to determine the light intensity for the first andsecond sets of one or more LEDs.

Further benefits and advantages of the disclosed device will becomeapparent after careful reading of the detailed description withappropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodimentsdisclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the followingdescription and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like partsthroughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the device according to a firstembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the device according a firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exploded top view of the device according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exploded bottom view of the device according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the device showing circuit components foroperating the device according the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the device according to the furtherembodiment;

FIG. 7 is bottom perspective view of the device according to the furtherembodiment with a disposable sanitary transparent cap shown explodedfrom the device;

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the device according to the furtherembodiment;

FIG. 9 is top view of the device according to the further embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a right side view of the device according to the furtherembodiment;

FIG. 11 is bottom view of the device according to the furtherembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view with the housing exploded from internalcomponents of the device according to the further embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view with the interior and exterior componentsof the device exploded according to the further embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a side view with the interior and exterior components of thedevice exploded according to the further embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the device according to the furtherembodiment along the lines of 15-15 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a LED printed circuit board assembly of thedevice according to the further embodiment prior to forming the assemblyinto the LED ring printed circuit board assembly;

FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of the LED ring printed circuit boardassembly of the device according to the further embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the LED ring printed circuit board assemblyof the device according to the further embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the LED ring printed circuit board assembly ofthe device according to the further embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a side perspective view of the LED ring printed circuit boardassembly with a fin LED separator attached to the main printed circuitboard and printed circuit board cover with the LED polarizers andfilters placed over the LEDs according to the further embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a view of the assembled components of FIG. 20 with the LEDpolarizers and filters along with the center polarizer explodedtherefrom according to the further embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a cut away bottom perspective view of the dial printedcircuit board positioned relative to the rotating dial;

FIG. 23 is a cut away top perspective view of the dial printed circuitboard positioned relative to the rotating dial;

FIG. 24 is a side view of dial printed circuit board positioned relativeto the rotating dial;

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the LED ring assembly junction with the mainprinted circuit board assembly; and

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of the device showing circuit components foroperating the device according the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure encompasses various devices for illuminatingorganic tissue such as a person's skin. The detailed description setforth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as adescription of several currently contemplated embodiments. It is notintended to represent the only form in which the disclosed subjectmatter may be developed or utilized. The description sets forth thefunctions and features in connection with the illustrated embodiments.It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functionsmay be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended tobe encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. It is furtherunderstood that the use of relational terms such as first and second andthe like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity withoutnecessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or orderbetween such entities.

The background, summary and the description herein includes informationthat may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not anadmission that any of the information provided herein is prior art orrelevant to the presently claimed inventive subject matter, or that anypublication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing dimensions, quantities,quantiles of ingredients, properties of materials, and so forth, used todescribe and claim certain embodiments of the disclosure are to beunderstood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.”Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth inthe written description and attached claims are approximations that canvary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by aparticular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parametersshould be construed in light of the number of reported significantdigits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstandingthat the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scopeof some embodiments of the disclosure are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspracticable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of thedisclose may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from thestandard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the descriptionherein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term“coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which twoelements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirectcoupling (in which at least one additional element is located betweenthe two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with”are used synonymously.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth hereinshould be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, andopen-ended ranges should be interpreted to include commerciallypractical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered asinclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates thecontrary.

The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve asa shorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respectto certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminatethe disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of theclaimed inventive subject matter. No language in the specificationshould be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential tothe practice of the inventive subject matter.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventivesubject matter disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations.Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in anycombination with other members of the group or other elements foundherein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deletedfrom, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When anysuch inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed tocontain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description ofall Markush groups used in the appended claims.

The following discussion provides many example embodiments of theinventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a singlecombination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter isconsidered to include all possible combinations of the disclosedelements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and asecond embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subjectmatter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A,B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed. Various objects, features,aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become moreapparent from the following detailed description of preferredembodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which likenumerals represent like components.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many moremodifications besides those already described are possible withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subjectmatter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification andthe claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possiblemanner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises”and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements,components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that thereferenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized,or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are notexpressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at leastone of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . andN, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from thegroup, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

It should be noted that any language herein directed to a computer orcomputing devices should be read to include any suitable combination ofcomputing devices, including servers, interfaces, systems, databases,agents, peers, engines, controllers, modules, or other types ofcomputing devices operating individually or collectively. One shouldappreciate the computing devices comprise at least one processorconfigured to execute a computer program product comprising softwareinstructions stored on a tangible, non-transitory computer readablestorage medium (e.g., hard drive, FPGA, PLA, solid state drive, RAM,flash, ROM, etc.). The software instructions configure or program thecomputing device to provide the roles, responsibilities, or otherfunctionality as discussed with respect to the disclosed devices.Further, the disclosed technologies can be embodied as a computerprogram product that includes a non-transitory computer readable mediumstoring the software instructions that causes a processor to execute thedisclosed steps associated with implementations of computer-basedalgorithms, processes, methods, or other instructions. In someembodiments, the various servers, systems, databases, or interfacesexchange data using standardized protocols or algorithms, possibly basedon HTTP, HTTPS, TCP/IP, UPD/IP, AES, public-private key exchanges, webservice APIs, known financial transaction protocols, or other electronicinformation exchanging methods. Data exchanges among devices can beconducted over a packet-switched network, the Internet, LAN, WAN, VPN,or other type of packet switched network; a circuit switched network;cell switched network; or other type of network.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,when a system, engine, server, device, module, or other computingelement is described as configured to perform or execute functions ondata in a memory, the meaning of “configured to” or “programmed to” isdefined as one or more processors or cores of the computing elementbeing programmed by a set of software instructions stored in the memoryof the computing element to execute the set of functions on target dataor data objects stored in the memory. It is understood that the use of“configured to” or “programmed to” (or similar language) should not beconstrued to invoke interpretation under 35 USC 112(f).

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown top and bottomperspective views, respectively, of a dermoscopy epiluminescence device12 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 12may be lightweight and compact and may be sized to easily fit within theshirt pocket of a user. FIG. 1 shows the top perspective view of thedevice 12 showing the viewing port of an optical lens 14 incorporatedinto a housing 20. A battery cover 22 may be removably secured to thehousing 20 to provide access to an interior compartment for insertionand removal of a battery. As shown in FIG. 2, a light portal may beincorporated into the housing 20 to expose a viewing polarizer 24. Aplurality of light emitting diodes (see FIGS. 3 and 4) may encircle theviewing polarizer within the housing 20 and direct light though amultiple layer filter ring 25 in order to selectively illuminate thesurface of the organic tissue with cross-polarized andparallel-polarized light. By operation of switches 16, 18, a user of thedevice 12 can control the relative portion of cross-polarized light andparallel-polarized light by pulse width modulation, thus selectivelyincreasing and decreasing the effective penetration depth of the view.For example, a switch 16 for increasing the effective penetration depthand a switch 18 for decreasing the effective penetration depth may beprovided as momentary up and momentary down positions of a usuallyneutral rocker switch as shown. Alternatively, the switches 16, 18 maybe individual push buttons, touchscreen elements, opposing inputs of aslider, dial, or knob, etc.

FIG. 3 is an exploded top view of the device 12 and FIG. 4 is anexploded bottom view of the device 12. The housing 20 may include a topcomponent 20 a and bottom component 20 b. The top component 20 a, bottomcomponent 20 b, and battery cover 22 may be formed from moldedlightweight durable plastic. The plastic may be a PVC derivativematerial and may be formed from acrylic or lexan. Additionally, thehousing may be formed from metal such as aluminum. Components 20 a, 20 band cover 22 may be interconnected to form the outer housing 20 as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2.

The top housing component 20 a may include an aperture 26 for receivingthe combination of the optical lens 14 inserted within a lens sleeve 28.Shown best in FIG. 4, the underside of the top housing component 20 a isshown wherein the aperture 26 incorporates a downwardly protruding(upwardly in FIG. 4) collar 30 for receiving the lens 14 within the lenssleeve 28. The lens sleeve 28 may incorporate an annular lip 29 whichengages sloped sides of the aperture 26 to complete the exterior of theviewing port of the housing 20. The lens sleeve 28 may operate tosecurely hold the lens 14 in place within the aperture 26. The lens 14is preferably a 15 mm diameter Hastings lens with a 10× optical gain.Alternatively, the lens may be a single convex lens, a combination oftwo or more lenses, a double achromat lens, or a combination of doubleachromat lenses. In addition, the lens may incorporate aspherical lensesto accommodate better optics and lower distortion. Lenses coated with anantireflection coating may be used and a color filter may additionallybe included to selectively filter light passing through the lens.

Although the drawings show a hand-held unit without imaging equipmentattached, it is contemplated by the present disclosure that the samecould be used with a camera, and that the size and shape of the lenscould be modified to accommodate the same.

The protruding collar 30 may be part of the unitary structure of theupper housing component 20 a. The collar 30, which may be cylindrical,may protrude through the interior components of the housing 20,including a printed circuit board (PCB) 32 having an opening 33, toextend to the light portal of the bottom component 20 b. A battery 34may nest within a battery chamber formed by the top component 20 a andbottom component 20 b. The PCB 32 may include electrical contacts 36 aand 36 b for interfacing with battery contacts 38 a and 38 b. The upperhousing 20 a may include slots 40 a and 40 b to allow the PCB contacts36 a and 36 b to protrude from the circuit board 32 into the batterychamber and contact the battery leads 38 a and 38 b. The battery 34 maybe an extended charge lithium battery. However, it is understood andcontemplated by the present disclosure that the battery could be anysuitable battery package such as a one-time lithium battery orrechargeable lithium battery. The disclosure additionally contemplatesuse of a DC power supply or an external power supply through a wirethrough contacts or a power port such as a USB or USB-C port.

The bottom component 20 b may include a viewing aperture 42 aligned withthe aperture 26 of the top component 20 a. At the viewing aperture 42,the viewing polarizer 24 inserted within a sleeve 44 may cap off theopening of the collar 30. The viewing polarizer 24 may be composed ofacrylic plastic with polarization material embedded within thepolarizer. It is contemplated that the viewing polarizer 24 mayalternatively be constructed of glass, with polarization materialembedded or coated on the glass. In addition, the viewing polarizer 24may be coated with a filter material that can selectively filter outsome of the light frequencies emanating from the object. Alternatively,a secondary filter assembly made of plastic or glass with the capabilityof filtering the light may be placed in the path of the viewing lens 14to filter out some of the light.

The bottom housing component 20 b may include a bottom collar 46 formedtherein. A lip 48 incorporating a plurality of guide tabs may be formedbetween the collar 46 and the viewing aperture 42. The lip 48 and guidetabs may be adapted to engage a bottom annular polarizer 50 and a topannular polarizer 52. The top 52 and bottom 50 polarizers may havedifferent polarization directions and may, for example, be 90 degreesout of phase. The bottom 50 polarizer may be in cross polarization withthe viewing polarizer 24, and the top polarizer 52 may be in parallelpolarization with the viewing polarizer 24. The top 52 and bottom 50polarizers may be composed of acrylic plastic and may includepolarization at different angles. The polarizers 50 and 52 may also becoated with a special material to filter out some of the light emanatingfrom the LEDs, or alternatively the annular polarizer 50 and 52 may besandwiched with a color filter acrylic material. The viewing aperture 42may be wide enough to permit a viewing corridor from the lens sleeve 28through the housing 20 to the viewing aperture 42 while allowingportions of the top 52 and bottom 50 polarizers to be exposed and tofilter light emitting diodes inside the housing 20.

In the example shown in the drawings, sixteen light emitting diodes 58ring the circuit board 32, though it is contemplated that the number ofdiodes may be greater or less. The diodes 58 are preferably white highlight output Indium Gallium Nitride LEDs, but any suitable lightingdiodes are appropriate. Every other diode 58 may be on the same circuit,for example, the even diodes may be on a single circuit and the odddiodes may be on a separate single circuit. In the shown embodiment, theLEDs 58 are a standard white LED made with phosphorescence phosphors tocreate white light. It is additionally contemplated by the presentdisclosure that tri-colored LEDs, with individual red, green and blueLEDs that can combine to form white light, may be utilized. It iscontemplated by the present disclosure that the LEDs may have focusinglenses to concentrate the light into a smaller and tighter beam. TheLEDs may additionally be comprised of indium gallium arsenide material,or any other like semiconductor material.

As shown in FIG. 4, the PCB 32 may additionally incorporate anintegrated circuit 74 for selectively driving the LEDs 58. Theintegrated circuit 74 may be electrically connected to the switches 16,18 and the battery 34 via the PCB 32. The integrated circuit 74 mayadditionally be communicatively coupled to an external device (e.g. asmartphone or other mobile device) via radio frequency transmissionaccording to any of various wireless communication protocols such asBluetooth. By manually operating the switches 16, 18 and/or wirelesslycommunicating with the integrated circuit 74 from an external device, auser may selectively drive the LEDs 58 as described in more detail belowin order to increase or decrease the effective penetration depth whenviewing organic tissue using the device 12.

The first polarizer filter 50 may comprise a planar annular ringdefining a generally circular center opening and an outer ring. Thecenter opening of the annular ring of the first polarizer 50 may bepositioned in alignment with the circular optical lens 14 to provide anunobstructed view of the organic tissue through the lens 14 and thehousing 20. The outer ring of the first polarizer 50 may be arranged topolarize light emitted from a first set of one or more LEDs 58 (e.g. theeven diodes) in a first polarization direction and to include aplurality of openings sized and positioned to correspond to the diodes58 of a second set of one or more LEDs 58 (e.g. the odd diodes). Thus,the light emitted from the second set of one or more LEDs 58 may passthrough the openings unfiltered by the first polarizer 50. The secondpolarizer filter 52 may likewise comprise a planar annular ring defininga generally circular center opening and an outer ring, with the centeropening of said annular ring of the second polarizer 52 positioned inalignment with the circular optical lens 14 to provide an unobstructedview of the organic tissue through the lens 14 and housing 20. Thesecond polarizer 52 may be 90 degrees out of phase with the firstpolarizer 50 as noted above. The outer ring of the second polarizer 52may be arranged to polarize light emitted from the second set of one ormore LEDs 58 (e.g. the odd diodes) in a second polarization direction.Like the first polarizer 50, the second polarizer 52 may have aplurality of openings, but in the case of the second polarizer 52 theplurality of openings may be sized and positioned to correspond to thediodes 58 of the first set of one or more LEDs 58 (e.g. the evendiodes). Thus, the light emitted from the first set of one or more LEDs58 may pass through the openings unfiltered by the second polarizer 52.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the device 12 showing circuit componentsfor operating the device 12. By way of example, the components shown inFIG. 5 are depicted as being components of the integrated circuit 74(see FIG. 4), which may be a microcontroller for example. However, thisis only one example, and it is contemplated that the functionality ofthe illustrated circuit components may be implemented on the PCB 32 inother ways as well, e.g. divided between multiple integrated circuits.As shown, the device 12 may include a pulse generator 76, an inverter78, a first driver 80 a, a second driver 80 b, and a controller 82.

The pulse generator 76 may be operable to generate a pulsed voltagehaving an adjustable pulse width p for driving one or both of the firstand second sets of LEDs 58 at a frequency f. In response to the pulsedvoltage output by the pulse generator 76, the first driver 80 a maydrive the first set of one or more LEDs 58 (e.g. the even diodes). Thus,as shown on the right-hand side of FIG. 5, the pulse of width p mayrepresent a portion of a period 1/f during which the even diodes areturned on, such that reducing the pulse width p causes the even diodesto dim as perceived by the human eye or by a camera with a frame rate orshutter speed less than the frequency f. Meanwhile, in response to theinverted pulsed voltage as output by the inverter 78, the second driver80 b may drive the second set of one or more LEDs 58 (e.g. the odddiodes). Thus, as shown on the right-hand side of FIG. 5, the inversepulse width (1-p) may represent a portion of a period 1/f during whichthe odd diodes are turned on, such that reducing the pulse width pcauses the odd diodes to brighten as the even diodes dim. By such anarrangement, the same total power may be used to drive the LEDs 58irrespective of the pulse width p, with the even and odd diodes 58 beingoppositely brightened and dimmed according to the setting of the pulsewidth p.

Operation of the pulse generator 76 may be controlled by the controller82 in response to user inputs made using the switches 16, 18 (see FIG. 1etc.). For example, as explained above, the switch 16 may increase theeffective penetration depth when viewing organic tissue using the device12 and the switch 18 may decrease the effective penetration depth. Tothis end, the controller 82 may increase the pulse width p in responseto a user pressing the switch 16 and may decrease the pulse width p inresponse to a user pressing the switch 18. When the pulse width p isincreased, the first set of one or more LEDs 58 (e.g. the even diodes),which are polarized in the first polarization direction by the firstpolarizer 50, are driven for a greater portion of each cycle 1/f. Withthe viewing polarizer 24 being cross polarized relative to the firstpolarization direction, the reflected light of the first LEDs 58 off theoutermost layers of the organic tissue is blocked by the viewingpolarizer 24. Meanwhile, the reflected light of the first LEDs 58 fromdeeper layers of the organic tissue will have a shifted polarization dueto refraction and will thus be at least partially transmitted by theviewing polarizer 24. As a result, driving the first set of LEDs 58(e.g. the even diodes) for a greater portion of each cycle may have theeffect of increasing the effective penetration depth when viewing theorganic tissue, thus deemphasizing surface features.

The opposite is true of the second set of LEDs 58 (e.g. the odd diodes),which are polarized in the second polarization direction by the secondpolarizer 52. With the viewing polarizer 24 sharing the secondpolarization direction of the light of the second LEDs 58, the reflectedlight of the first LEDs 58 off the outermost layers of the organictissue is polarized parallel to the viewing polarizer 24 and thustransmitted. Meanwhile, the reflected light of the first LEDs 58 fromdeeper layers of the organic tissue will have a shifted polarization dueto refraction and will thus be at least partially blocked by the viewingpolarizer 24. As a result, driving the second set of LEDs 58 (e.g. theodd diodes) for a greater portion of each cycle may have the effect ofdecreasing the effective penetration depth when viewing the organictissue, thus emphasizing surface features.

In response to the user pressing the switches 16, 18, the controller 82may increase or decrease the pulse width p by set increments, forexample, p=0%, p=20%, p=40%, p=60%, p=80%, and p=100%, where percentagesrefer to one cycle 1/f. When the switch 16 is pressed repeatedly untilthe pulse width p is set to 0%, the first set of LEDs 58 (even diodes)are off for the entire cycle while the second set of LEDs 58 (odddiodes) are on, resulting in parallel polarization of surfacereflections and a minimum effective penetration depth. Conversely, whenthe switch 18 is pressed repeatedly until the pulse width p is set to100%, the first set of LEDs 58 (even diodes) are on for the entire cyclewhile the second set of LEDs 58 (odd diodes) are off, resulting in crosspolarization of surface reflections and a maximum effective penetrationdepth. In between these two extremes, a portion of the light will becross-polarized with the remainder parallel-polarized, resulting in anintermediate effective penetration depth according to the user'sincremental selection. The relative portion of the light that iscross-polarized and parallel-polarized may be as shown in the followingtable.

TABLE 1 Cross- Parallel- Pulse Polarized Polarized Width “p” PortionPortion  0%  0% 100%  20%  20%  80%  40%  40%  60%  60%  60%  40%  80% 80%  20% 100% 100%  0%

Larger increments (e.g. p=0%, p=25%, p=50%, p=75%, and p=100%) andsmaller increments (e.g. p=0%, p=10%, p=20%, p=30%, p=40%, p=50%, p=60%,p=70%, p=80%, p=90%, and p=100%) are also contemplated, as well as acontinuous or substantially continuous control, allowing the user tosmoothly transition the view in the depth direction of the organictissue.

As shown in FIG. 5, user inputs to the controller 82 may alternativelyor additionally be made using an external device 84 (e.g. a smartphoneor other mobile device) via wireless communication (e.g. Bluetooth). Itis contemplated, for example, that the external device 84 may run amobile application (e.g. a downloadable “app”) that establishes awireless connection with the controller 82 and generates a graphicaluser interface for adjusting settings of the pulse generator 76. Such agraphical user interface may include, for example, virtual sliders,buttons, etc. having the functions of the switches 16, 18 shown in FIG.1 for controlling the pulse width p. Additional functionality of thegraphical user interface (or of additional switches on the device 12)may include, for example, adjusting the frequency f of the pulsedvoltage (e.g. from 100 to 10,000,000 Hz), adjusting the forward currentof the LED (e.g. by controlling the drivers 80 a, 80 b) to allow analogcontrol of the intensity of light, changing the mode of operation of thedevice 12 (e.g. to turn off the pulse generator 76 entirely and allowfor static operation of the first and/or second sets of LEDs 58), and/orcommunicating with a camera of the external device 84 to capture animage of the organic tissue. In this regard, it is contemplated that thedevice 12 may be attachable to the external device 84 (e.g. by magnetsand/or threaded connection) to align a camera of the external device 84with the optical lens 14 of the device 12. With the aid of a camera, itis contemplated that a three-dimensional map of the organic tissue maybe constructed by combining images taken at a plurality of effectivepenetration depths.

In the illustrated example described above, it is assumed that everyother LED 58 is on the same circuit, with the even diodes on one circuitand the odd diodes on another circuit. That is, the LEDs 58 are groupedinto two sets, each corresponding to its own polarizer 50, 52. However,the disclosure is not intended to be so limited, and greater numbers ofsets of LEDs 58 are contemplated as well. For example, a third set ofLEDs 58 may be provided that emit light that is neither polarized by thebottom polarizer 50 nor by the top polarizer 52 and instead remainsnon-polarized (e.g. by passing through corresponding holes in bothpolarizers 50, 52). Upon reflection at the organic tissue, suchnon-polarized light may be transmitted/blocked by the viewing polarizer24 to a degree that does not depend on the reflection depth. A fourthset of LEDs 58 may be provided that similarly emit non-polarized lightbut at an ultraviolet wavelength or another wavelength (e.g. blue). TheLEDs 58 may be arranged in a single ring such that one out of every fourLEDs 58 is on the same circuit. In the case of such three-circuit andfour-circuit designs, it is contemplated that the first and second setsof LEDs 58 may be driven in response to the output of the pulsegenerator 76 as shown in FIG. 5, with the third and fourth sets of LEDs58 being independently controlled by the controller 82 in response touser input (e.g. mode settings selected by an external device 84 or byadditional switches on the device 12).

Along the same lines, sets of LEDs 58 are shown as each having the samenumber of LEDs. However, the disclosure is not intended to be limited inthis regard. For example, the first set of LEDs 58 may have fewer LEDsthan the second set of LEDs 58, with the power level for the first setbeing greater to compensate for the reduced number of LEDs (e.g. byappropriate control of the drivers 80 a, 80 b). The same is true in thecase of three, four, or any number of sets of LEDs 58, with therespective power levels being modified independently to account fordifferences in the number of LEDs of each circuit (as well asdifferences in the desired intensity of light). As noted above,independently modifying the power levels of the LEDs 58 (e.g. adjustingthe forward current) may, in general, be used to control the intensityof light. Such analog control may be used instead of or in combinationwith the digital pulse width modulation described above in order toproduce the desired combinations of cross-polarized andparallel-polarized light to change the effective penetration depth asdescribed throughout this disclosure.

In the illustrated embodiments, the positions of various components ofthe device 12 (e.g. the polarizers 50, 52) are described in relation tothe positions of LEDs 58. However, it is contemplated that the definedpositions of the LEDs 58 more generally can be understood as thepositions of functional light sources, which can be arbitrarily distantfrom the positions of actual LEDs, a light box, etc. through the use offiber optics. For example, each of the LEDs 58 shown in the drawings mayrepresent the output end of an optical fiber, with the input endsthereof receiving light from a shared illuminator.

It is known that combining orthogonally polarized light (parallel lightcombined with cross-polarized light) is effectively the same asunpolarized light. The polarization state of light can be mathematicallydescribed by the Stokes vector. The Stokes vector is determined bymeasuring the intensity of light through a parallel polarizer placed infront of a light sensor at several different orientations. Intensitymeasurements are also taken with a left hand and right hand circularpolarizer in front of the light sensor. These intensity measurements areplaced into a matrix where: I₀=the intensity of light filtered through aparallel polarizer at zero degrees; I₉₀ is the intensity of lightfiltered through a parallel polarizer at 90 degrees; and I₄₅ and I₁₃₅ isthe detected intensity of the light filtered through the polarizer at 45and 135 degrees, respectively. Regarding the Stokes parameters: S₀ iscalculated from the sum of I₀ and I₉₀; S₁ is the difference between I₀and I₉₀; S₂ is the difference between I₄₅ and I₁₃₅; and S₃ is thedifference between intensity filtered through circular polarizersI_(LHC) and I_(RHC). The Stokes vector matrix is provided below.

${S = {\begin{bmatrix}S_{0} \\S_{1} \\S_{2} \\S_{3}\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}{I_{0} + I_{90}} \\{I_{0} - I_{90}} \\{I_{45} - I_{135}} \\{I_{LHC} - I_{RHC}}\end{bmatrix}}},$

For unpolarized light, the light waves are randomly polarized and theintensity of the unpolarized light as measured through a polarizer arethe same no matter the polarizer orientation. As such, for unpolarizedlight I₀=I₉₀=I₄₅=I₁₃₅.

Using the Stokes parameters, the results of the matrix describe thestate of polarization for common polarization configurations:

$\begin{matrix}{{\begin{bmatrix}1 \\1 \\0 \\0\end{bmatrix}{parallel}{or}{linearly}{polarized}({horizontal})};} \\{\begin{bmatrix}1 \\{- 1} \\0 \\0\end{bmatrix}{parallel}{or}{linearly}{polarized}({vertical})} \\{\begin{bmatrix}1 \\0 \\1 \\0\end{bmatrix}{parallel}{or}{linearly}{polarized}\left( {{+ 45}{degrees}} \right)} \\{\begin{bmatrix}1 \\0 \\{- 1} \\0\end{bmatrix}{parallel}{or}{linearly}{polarized}\left( {{- 45}{degrees}} \right)} \\{\begin{bmatrix}1 \\0 \\0 \\1\end{bmatrix}{right}{hand}{circular}{polarized}} \\{\begin{bmatrix}1 \\0 \\0 \\{- 1}\end{bmatrix}{left}{hand}{circular}{polarized}} \\{\begin{bmatrix}1 \\0 \\0 \\0\end{bmatrix}{unpolarized}}\end{matrix}$

For Stokes parameters S₁, I₀ and I₉₀ cancel each other out and resolveto zero (0). For S₂, I₄₅ and I₁₃₅ cancel each other out and resolve tozero (0). For S₃, since the devices described herein do not use circularpolarization also therefore resolves to zero (0). As such theconfiguration results in the following Stokes vector:

$\begin{bmatrix}1 \\0 \\0 \\0\end{bmatrix}{unpolarized}$

In the case of an equal combination of vertically polarized light andhorizontally polarized light as described in the embodiments of thedevices described herein, I₀=I₉₀, so for Stoke parameter S₁, I₀ and I₉₀cancel out and resolve to zero (0). When the polarizer is diagonalI₄₅=I₁₃₅ (although half of the intensity of I₀ or I₉₀), so for S₂ I₄₅and I₁₃₅ cancel out and resolve to zero (0). Again, there is no circularpolarization so S₃ is zero (0). The end result of the Stoke vector isthe non-polarized light:

$\begin{bmatrix}1 \\0 \\0 \\0\end{bmatrix}{unpolarized}$

The polarization as presented in the disclosed devices uses parallelpolarization that provides a higher contrast image of the linear andcross polarized light, as opposed to elliptical polarization. With thedisclosed device a healthcare practitioner can change the degrees ofpolarization to view the structural skin at differing depths to compareand contrast. Also, images that may be captured by a camera attached tothe devices disclosed herein can store the images for later viewing andcomparing and contrasting to aid in diagnosis and treatments.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 6-7 there is shown an illuminationdevice 60 representing a further embodiment of the device describedherein. FIG. 6 shows the distal (away from the organic material to beviewed) upper perspective view of the illumination device 60, the topside of the device from which a user would view through themagnification lens 62. FIG. 7 is a right-side lower perspective view ofthe device 60 showing the proximal (closest to the organic material tobe viewed) of the illumination device 60. The proximal side is lowerside of the device from which LEDs emit light to the object to beviewed. FIG. 7 also shows an auxiliary removably attachable disposableclear plastic cap 64 attachable to the device 60 housing 66. Thedisposable cap 64 may be applied to the device over the faceplate 96 andthe surrounding surface of the housing 66 for sanitary reasons to assistin preventing cross-contamination when using the device 60 on patients.The plastic cap 64 is formed of a clear plastic material with flexion inthe structure to allow it to be snap fit over the faceplate 96 andsurrounding area, to be securely attached when in use and easily removedby hand after the cap 64 is to be discarded. The plastic of the cap 64may assist in keeping pathogens from attaching to the device 60 bycovering a portion of the proximal surface of device 60 and the cap 64may be disposed of after a single use. Because the plastic of the cap 64is transparent and has a low birefringence so that it does not disruptthe polarization state of the light passing through the cap 64 and doesnot significantly interfere with viewing the organic matter to be viewedthrough the device 60 optics including the lenses 62.

Referring to FIGS. 7-11 collectively, there are shown a number ofexternal features of the device 60. The housing 66 includes a headportion 68 incorporating the device optics and the handle portion 70incorporating electronic components of the device 60. In operation, auser grasps the handle portion 70 to hold the head 68 over an area ofinterest. The handle portion 70 has a number of LED indicators forshowing the mode of operation or power, and positioned at the junctionbetween the head portion 68 and the handle portion 70 a numberergonomically placed buttons are provided to allow a user to initiatevarious lighting modes and power the device.

The head portion 68 additionally incorporates two manual dials. A spacerdial 72 is provided to allow a user to manually rotate to extend athreaded spacer that extends and retracts from the head 68 (not shown inFIGS. 6-11, being retracted in such drawings). The spacer dial 72 isprovided for adjusting position of a spacer by extending or retractingthe same to adjust the focal distance to the object or tissue that is tobe viewed (not shown). The spacer dial and spacer (not shown) operatessimilar to and consistent with the dial and spacer shown in U.S. Pat.No. 9,458,990, issued Oct. 4, 2016 to Mullani entitled DermoscopyIllumination Device With Selective Polarization And Orange Light ForEnhanced Viewing of Pigmented Tissue, the substance of which is whollyincorporated herein by reference. The head portion 68 additionallyincludes a polarization dial 74 that may be manually turned by a user incombination with other buttons to adjust or vary polarization in certainmodes of operation, described in detail below.

A power port 76 is provided at the end of handle portion 70, which is aUSB-C port, however, it is contemplated by this disclosure that thepower port may be any suitable electrical connector. The power port 76is adapted to receive a male power port plug to supply power to thedevice and to charge an on-board battery (not shown in FIGS. 6-11). Inaddition to the power port 76, contact pins 78 are also provided toprovide separate means of powering the device and charging the battery.A complementary charging base (not shown) may be provided with contactsto provide charge to the device 60. The contact pins 78 and chargingdevice (not shown) operate similar to and consistent with the chargingbase shown in U.S. Pat. No. 9,458,990, issued Oct. 4, 2016 to Mullanientitled Dermoscopy Illumination Device With Selective Polarization AndOrange Light For Enhanced Viewing of Pigmented Tissue, the substance ofwhich is wholly incorporated herein by reference. In addition, it iscontemplated that an induction charging system for the on-board batterymay be utilized. Also, lanyard openings 80 are provided for inserting astring, chord or other like device into the one of the openings 80 andthrough and out of another of the openings 80 to attach a chord, lanyardstring or loop handle to the end of the handle 70.

Referring to the various external indicators on the device 60 in FIGS.7-11, there is shown on the distal side of the device 60, polarizationindicator bar 82. In operation when the device 60 is powered, theindicator 82 shows the degree of polarization. The light bar 82 with afirst indicator LED light activated on the far left demonstrates crosspolarization, and an “x” is imprinted on the housing 66 next to thefirst LED on the far left. The indicator LED light activated on theright side of the LED bar 82 indicates parallel polarization, with twoparallel lines imprinted on the device. An indicator LED light activatedin the center of LED bar 82 indicates 50% cross polarization and 50%parallel polarization resulting in non-polarized light. The light bar 82can be activated along any point along the bar 82 to indicate the degreeof polarization with cross polarization on the left side and parallelpolarization on the right side as the extremes. Also located on thedistal side of the handle 70 are four charge indicator LEDs 84 forproviding a user with charge status of the battery (not shown). When allfour indicators LEDs 84 are activated, this indicates a charge between76 and 100 percent charge. Likewise, when three LEDs are activated, thisindicates a charge between 51 and 75 percent. When two lighted LEDs 84are indicated, the remaining charge is between 26 and 50 percent.Finally, when one of the LEDs 84 is activated, the remaining charge isbetween 1 and 25%. In addition, a pigment boost LED indicator 98 isactivated when the device 60 is operated in pigment boost mode, whereorange LEDs are activated. Also, an ultraviolet (UV) LED indicator 100is activated when the device 60 is operated in UV mode.

Located on the distal side of the handle 70 is a torch button 86 isprovided that activates and deactivates a flashlight, or torch light 86on the proximal side of the handle 70. The torch light 88 providesconvenient tool for use by the medical practitioner to operate much likea flashlight and is not associated with the optics or polarizationfilters of the device 60. Two indicator LEDs 90 are located in thecenter of the torch button 86 to identify status of the torch light 88.Tapping the torch button 86 activates the torch light 88, and in theinstance where the LEDs in the device 60 head are turned on, those LEDlights will turn off for operating in torch mode. In operation, the usermay tap and hold the torch button 86 while simultaneously turning thepolarization dial 74 to adjust the torch LED 88 brightness. Themicroprocessor (not shown in FIGS. 6-11) may store in an on boardnon-transitory memory device (not shown in FIGS. 6-11) the level ofbrightness, and upon the next initiation of the torch 86, the torch willlight at the same brightness.

A power button 102 is provided on left side of the housing 66 of thedevice 60 to turn on the device 60 power. Upon tapping power button 102the device defaults to cross polarizer mode, and as such the light bar82 show the status of cross polarizing mode. The power button 102 canthen be tapped to toggle between cross polarized mode and non-polarizedmode (the indicator bar 82 showing a center LED activated). In addition,the power button 102 may alternately be toggled between cross-polarizedand any other polarization state (i.e. parallel polarized or anypolarization in between cross-polarized and parallel polarized). Thealternate toggle state may be set by turning the polarization dial untilthe desired alternative polarization state is reached and thensimultaneously holding down the UV button 104 and the and pigment boostbutton 106 for two (2) seconds to save this polarization state as thenew default alternate toggle setting. Another way to incrementallytoggle between cross polarized mode, non-polarized mode and parallelpolarized mode, and all points in between, when the power button 102 hasbeen activated, a user may turn the polarizer dial 74. In operation, thepower button 102 is tapped, defaulting to cross polarized mode. If theuser turns the polarizer dial clockwise, there will be no effect.However, if the user turns the polarizer dial counterclockwise thepolarization will gradually change to reach non-polarized mode andparallel polarization at the far extreme. At any point after turning thedial 74 counterclockwise, the user can move the dial 74 clockwise tomove back to a previous polarization, including back to the far extremeof cross polarization. Holding the power button 102 for one second turnsthe power to the device off. Also, tapping the power button 102 andholding the button 102 while turning the dial 74 adjusts the brightnessof the white LEDs (not shown in FIGS. 6-11) in the head 68 of the device60. The microprocessor may store in an on board non-transitory memorythe level of brightness of white LEDs, and upon the next initiation ofthe button 102, the white LEDs will light at the same brightness.

A UV mode button 104 is provided on the right side of the housing 66 ofthe device 60 to enable UV LEDs (not shown in FIGS. 6-11) in the head 68to activate. The UV LEDs operate to the exclusion of any other LEDs inthe head 68. For example, if the power button 102 is activated,operating in cross-polarized mode for example, the tapping of UV modebutton 104 will deactivate all other LEDs and turn on only the UV LEDs.Also, tapping the power button UV mode button 104 and holding the button104 while turning the dial 74 adjusts the brightness of the UV LEDs. Themicroprocessor may store in an on board non-transitory memory the levelof brightness of UV LEDs, and upon the next initiation of the button104, the UV LEDs will light at the same brightness.

A pigment boost button 106 is provided on the right side of the housing66 of the device 60 to enable orange and while LEDs (not shown in FIGS.6-11) in the head 68 to activate. The orange and while LEDs operate tothe exclusion of any other LEDs in the head 68. For example, if thepower button 102 is activated, operating in cross-polarized mode, thetapping of pigment boost mode button 106 will deactivate all other LEDsand turn on only the orange and white LEDs to operate in pigment boostmode that enhances viewing of pigmented tissue and lesions. A thoroughdiscussion of the use of orange LEDs in dermatoscopes may be found inU.S. Pat. No. 9,458,990, issued Oct. 4, 2016 to Mullani entitledDermoscopy Illumination Device With Selective Polarization And OrangeLight For Enhanced Viewing of Pigmented Tissue. Also, tapping the powerbutton pigment boost mode button 106 and holding the button 106 whileturning the dial 74 adjusts the brightness of the orange and white LEDs.The microprocessor may store in an on board non-transitory memory thelevel of brightness of orange and white LEDs when operating in pigmentboost mode, and upon the next initiation of the button 106, the orangeand white LEDs will light at the same brightness.

On the proximal side of the device 60, an elongate ferritic stainlesssteel ruler 92 is attached to the handle 70. A recess with embeddedmagnets to attract and attach the ruler 92 is provided. In addition, aspace is provided on the handle 70 below the ruler 92 to allow a user topush down on the ruler to create a slight deformation so that the endsof the rule 92 may bend upward to allow a user to easily access andremove the ruler 92. The ruler may be used by the medical practitionerfor any purpose, including the potential measuring of skin lesions. Inaddition, a measurement indicia 94 is screened or etched on to the glassof the faceplate 96 to provide the user a measurement aid when viewingfeatures through the optics of the device.

Referring particularly to FIG. 12 there is shown an exploded view of thehousing 66 from the internal components of the device 60. The housing 66comprises a base cover 108 and handle cover 110. Also shown is the ruler92 separated from the handle cover 110. The internal components includethe main PCB 112 and mail PCB cover 114. A battery 116 nests within thePCB cover 114 and adjacent the PCB board 112 and the battery 116 iselectrically interconnected to the power port 76 and contacts 78 forcharging. The battery 116 also provides power to the electricalcomponents of the device 60. The battery 116 is a lithium polymerrechargeable battery, however it is understood that any suitable batterytype power source may be used in relation to the device 60. An aperture118 is formed into the base cover 108 to provide exposure to the torchbutton. Light pipes (not shown) or other light transmitting mechanismmay be formed on the interior of the base cover 108 to transmit lightfrom LEDs located on the main PCB board 112 to provide visible light tothe indicators such as polarizer indicator bar 82, battery statusindicators 84, torch indicators 90, pigment boost mode indicator 98andUV light indicators 100. The dial 74 is free to rotate below the basecover 108.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 13 and 14 there are shown exploded viewsof the of the components of the device 60 demonstrating the assembly ofthe such components. The exploded view of FIG. 13 is a perspective view,and FIG. 14 is a direct side view of the same exploded view of FIG. 13.Moving from the proximal end to the distal end, the components areidentified as follows: lens retainer 120, lenses 62, lens tube retainer122, center polarizer 124, base cover 108, torch button 86, dial PCB128, dial PCB cover 130, polarization dial 74, spacer dial 72, main PCB112, lens tube 132, PCB cover 114, LED base 134, LED PCB assembly 136,LED fin 138, battery 116, parallel polarizer 140, cross polarizedpolarizer 142, UV filters 144, LED base cap 146, spacer 148, spacer dialcap 150, face plate ring 152, face plate 96, handle cover 110 and rule92. It is noted that the position of the parallel polarizer 140 andcross polarizer 142 are interchangeable since they are stacked upon oneanother, and the polarizers do not interfere with each other due tocoordinated spacings of openings, described in more detail with regardto FIG. 21.

Referring particularly to FIG. 15 there is shown a cross sectional viewalong lines 15-15 shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 15 demonstrates the position ofthe viewer 154 to view items located on the proximal side of the device,with the viewer 154 positioned on the distal side of the device, havingan open view through the a lens assembly that includes lenses 62arranged to provide a magnified view of the tissue to be examined. Thelenses are preferably 10× magnification. The disclosed device lenses 62is comprised of a compound lens with four spherical glass elements.While the device disclosed herein contemplates use of a compound lenswith four spherical glass elements, other types of lenses, such asaspherical or those with polymer materials may be employed. The materialfor the lenses 62 may be molded PMMA with a hard coat surface. Othersuitable material may also be used for the lenses 62.

Referring to FIG. 16 there is shown the LED PCB assembly 136 prior toassembly. The PCB board comprises 24 LEDs, LEDS D1 through D24. The LEDScomprise different types of LEDs. LEDs D3, D6, D9 and D12 comprise UVLEDs having an output of about 365 nm. As described herein with regardto other figures, LEDs D3, D6, D9 and D12 are not polarized, but emitlight through an ZWB2 glass filter. LEDs D1, D13, D4, D16, D7, D19, D10and D22 comprise white light LEDs. LEDs D1, D13, D4, D16, D7, D19, D10and D22 as described herein with regard to other figures, emit lightthrough a polarizer to emit cross-polarized light. LEDs D2, D5, D8, D11,D14, D17, D20 and D23 also comprise white light LEDs. LEDs D2, D5, D8,D11, D14, D17, D20 and D23 as described herein with regard to otherfigures, emit light through a polarizer to emit parallel-polarizedlight. LEDs D24, D21, D18 and D15 comprise orange light LEDs emittinglight approximately in the range of 590 nm. LEDs D24, D21, D18 and D15as described herein with regard to other figures, emit light through apolarizer to emit cross-polarized light.

The PCB board 136 as shown in FIG. 16 is prior to assembly, to form thePCB board 136 LED ring as shown in FIGS. 17-19. The LED portion 156 hasthe LEDs bonded on the PCB board each on fingers extending from the LEDportion 156, wherein the LEDs are in electrical communication with thelead portion 158. The LED portion 156 is looped and connected atconnection points 160 to form a ring. The fingers are angled outwardlyfrom the ring at a 30-degree angle to expose the LEDs to direct light inthe desired direction for positioning in the device 60. The lead portion158 is formed to provide an electrical pathway within the device toavoid internal components by forming a pathway recess 162 as shown fromthe side in FIG. 19. Referring to FIG. 18 once the LED filters are putin place, the references to the LEDs are as follows: LEDs D23 (parallelpolarized white light), D22 (cross polarized white light), D24 (crosspolarized orange light), D11 (parallel polarized white light), D10(cross polarized white light) and D12 (UV light with glass filter ZWB2).This pattern is repeated four times along the length of the LED circle136.

Referring particularly to FIG. 20 there is shown the LED ring 136attached to the main PCB 114 with lead portion 158 electricallyinterfacing with the main PCB 114 so that the LEDs are in electricalcommunication with the items on the PCB board, including one or moremicroprocessors and battery 114 for power to the LEDs. Referring to FIG.21 there is shown the fin 138 that engages the LED ring 136 and providesseparation and fin walls 164 to create chambers for each LED to avoidlight leakage between chambers. The fin 138 also provides a surface forfilters 142, 140 and 142 to lay upon and to be fixed over each LED ofthe LED ring 136. The fins 164 may also be formed of a heat dissipatingmaterial and the fins 164 have surface areas to operate as a heat sink.A center polarizer 12 placed over the lenses 162 to polarize any lightreceived from an object to be viewed.

Filter layers are placed over the LEDs and include the following: across polarizer 142 having a circular structure and a number of openingsand filter areas to cover some of the LEDs and the openings not coveringother LEDs. The cross polarizer 142 has a polarization and is positionedin the device 60 to be orthogonal to the center polarizer 124. The linesin FIG. 21 demonstrate the polarization orientation. Cross polarizer 142covers and polarizes white LEDs D1, D4, D7, D10, D13, D16 and D19 andalso covers and polarizes orange LEDs D12, D18, D21 and D24. The Crosspolarizer 142 has openings and does not cover or polarize white LEDs D2,D5, D8, D11, D14, D17, D20 and D23 and also does not cover or polarizedUV LEDs D3, D6, D9 and D12.

A parallel polarizer 140 is polarized in the same orientation as thecenter polarizer 124. The parallel polarizer 140 has a circularstructure and a number of openings and filter areas to cover some of theLEDs and not covering other LEDs. The parallel polarizer 140 covers andpolarizes eight white LEDs D2, D5, D8, D11, D14, D17, D20 and D23. Theparallel polarizer 140 does not cover or polarize eight white LEDs D1,D4, D7, D10, D13, D16 and D19 and also does not cover or polarize fourorange LEDs D12, D18, D21 and D24. The parallel polarizer 140 also doesnot cover or polarized UV LEDs D3, D6, D9 and D12.

The four UV LEDs are each covered by ZWB2 glass filters 144. The ZWB2filter is a bandpass filter to filter the light emitted from the UVLEDs. The utilized bandpass filter for a particular LED attenuates allor a significant portion of frequencies outside of a desired frequency.Bandpass filters are placed over the light transmitting LED and maytransmit a desired frequency range through the filter, while blockingall or most of certain frequency ranges of light from passing throughthe filter. In the further embodiment of the device, a ZWB2 bandpassfilter is used. Use of ZWB2 bandpass filters result in much bettercontrast in an image due to the elimination of all or a significantportion of visible light. Although an embodiment of the device disclosesa ZWB2 filter, it is contemplated by the present disclosure that otherbandpass filters may be utilized that have a similar effect of a ZWB2namely an optical filter that has higher transmittance in the UVspectrum than the visible spectrum. The embodiment of the devicediscloses the use of a ZWB2 bandpass filter offered by Optima, Inc. ofTokyo Japan. Optima offers optical filters under the designations ZBW1,ZBW3 and ZB1 having similar characteristics as a bandpass filter,blocking some wavelengths of light and the disclosure contemplates useof such filters. In addition, other manufactures offer filters havingnear characteristics of the ZWB2 filter, namely Hoya Corporation ofTokyo, Japan offers U-360 and UL365 Glass filters and Schott NorthAmerica, Inc of Duryea, Pa. offer a product under the designation ofUG11. Hoya also offers U-340 and U-330 glass filters that may be usedand other Schott products under the designations UG1 and UG5 arecontemplated by the disclosure.

The filters 142 and 140 are overlaid onto the fin 138 so that they arestacked. Because the filters 142 and 140 have complementary openings andcoverings, so that when placed in the proper position will not interfereor overlap with each other. In this regard, the filters 142 and 140 arereversable in stacking order, and as shown in FIG. 21, thecross-polarizing filter 142 is placed directly over the fin 138 and theparallel polarizer 140 is overlaid on top of the cross polarizing filter142. After filters 140 and 142 are positioned, there are openings forthe LEDs D3, D6, D9 and D12, over which the ZWB2 filters 144 are placed.

Referring to FIGS. 22, 23 and 24 there is shown components related tothe operation of the electronics with the dial 74. A dial PCB 128positioned on the lead portion 158. On the side of dial PCB 128 closestto the dial 74 a reflective encoder 166 (shown in FIG. 22) is positionedand pointed to the dial 74 and particularly to the dial bottom 168 foroptical rotation detection of the dial 74. The reflective encoder 166 isan Avago AEDR-8300 module manufactured by Avago Technologies of SanJose, Calif., USA. The encoder 166 emits infrared signals and one ormore optical readers on the encoder 166 detects reflection and candetect movement of the dial 74 by the lines or striations included onthe dial bottom 168. On dial 74 there are 212 lines per inch enablingdetection of slight movement. Detecting rotation, the encoder sendssignals to a microprocessor (not shown) regarding the position of thedial.

Referring to FIG. 25 there is shown the top view of the LED assembly136, with filters 140, 142 and 144 overlaying the LEDs. The LEDs areshown and identified. The following is a listing of the LEDs with theirrespective wavelengths and polarizations. LEDs D1, D4, D7, D10, D13, D16and D19 are white light LEDs and due to the location of the crosspolarizer 142 emit white cross-polarized light. LEDs D12, D18, D21 andD24 are orange LEDs with a wavelength of about 590 nm, and due to thelocation of the cross-polarizer, such LEDs emit orange cross-polarizedlight. LEDs D2, D5, D8, D11, D14, D17, D20 and D23 are white light LEDsand due to the location of the parallel polarizer 140 emit parallelpolarized white light. LEDs D3, D6, D9 and D12 are UV LEDs and with theplacement of ZWB2 filters 144, such LEDs emit UV light modified by thebandpass filters. The positioning of different wavelength LEDs, filtersand polarizers allows for the operation of the device 60 to emitvariable polarization and operate in a plurality of modes.

Referring to FIG. 26 is a schematic of the electronic components of thedevice 60. The USB port 76 and charging pins 78 may supply power to thedevice 60 through a power management circuit 170 which may be anintegrated circuit chip. The circuit 170 may manage power input tosupply power for charging the battery 116 and to provide signals tolight the LED charge display 84. Also, the circuit may manage power to amicroprocessor 172. The microprocessor 172 received input from varioussources, and depending on input, may drive various elements as a result.The battery 116 also supplies power to a 3.3v regulator that providessufficient power to at least the encoder 166 and/or a Bluetooth module176. The Bluetooth module 176 enables the device 60 to be wirelesslycoupled to an external device (e.g. a smartphone or other mobile device)via radio frequency transmission according to any of various wirelesscommunication protocol, including Bluetooth. A mobile application mayoperate in place of the manual switches, allowing a user to implementthe various modes by wirelessly communicating with the microprocessor172 from an external device. As such, a user may selectively drive theLEDs of the device 60 in order to increase or decrease the effectivepenetration depth when viewing organic tissue by manipulating the crosspolarized and parallel polarized light to simulate variable polarizationas would be achieved by rotating one or more polarizers, wherein thedevice 60 polarizers remain stationary.

In device 60 there are three modes of operation that are independent ofvariable polarization. The first flashlight mode involves the torchswitch 90 which initiates and deactivates a flashlight type LED 88 thatis not associated with any polarizers. The signal from the torch switch90 is received by the microprocessor 172 and a signal is sent to the LEDdriver 178 to drive the torch LED 88 and may activate or deactivate userinterface torch display 192 to let the user know the state of the torchmode. When a user holds down the torch switch 90 while simultaneouslyturning the polarization dial 74, the brightness of the torch LED 88 maybe adjusted, and the level of brightness saved in the system memory.Turning of the dial 74 effects the encoder 166 that provides a signal tothe microprocessor indicating the position of the dial for determiningbrightness of the torch LED 88 and sending a signal to LED driver 178 toadjust the brightness.

In a further UV mode, switch 104 initiates and deactivates the UV LEDs(comprising LEDs D3, D6, D9 and D12) and the UV light emitted isfiltered through a bandpass filter 144. The signal from the UV switch104 is received by the microprocessor 172 and a signal is sent to theLED driver 178 to drive the UV LEDs 180 and may activate or deactivateuser interface mode display 194 to let the user know the state of the UVmode. When a user holds down the UV switch 104 while simultaneouslyturning the polarization dial 74, the brightness of the UV LEDs may beadjusted, and the level of brightness saved in the system memory.Turning of the dial 74 effects the encoder 166 that provides a signal tothe microprocessor indicating the position of the dial for determiningbrightness of the UV LEDs and sending a signal to the LED driver 178 toadjust brightness.

In a further pigment boost mode, pigment switch 106 initiates anddeactivates both the orange pigment LEDs 182 (comprising LEDs D3, D6, D9and D12) and white cross polarized LEDs 184 (comprising LEDs D1, D4, D7,D10, D13, D16 and D19), and the light emitted from the orange and whiteLEDs is cross polarized. The signal from the pigment switch 104 isreceived by the microprocessor 172 and a signal is sent to the LEDdrivers 190 and 178 to drive the white cross polarized LEDs 184 andpigment LEDs 182, respectively and may activate or deactivate userinterface mode display 194 to let the user know the state of the pigmentboost mode. When a user holds down the pigment switch 106 whilesimultaneously turning the polarization dial 74, the brightness of theorange LEDs may be adjusted, and the level of brightness saved in thesystem memory. Turning of the dial 74 effects the encoder 166 thatprovides a signal to the microprocessor indicating the position of thedial for determining brightness of the orange LEDs. The microprocessor172 is capable of directing grouping of the parallel LEDs 186, pigmentLEDs 182, UV LEDs 180 and/or torch LED 88 through an LED group select188 circuit.

In variable polarization mode, the user initiates power switch 102, andthe device 60 defaults to cross polarization mode wherein white lightLEDs 184 (comprising D1, D4, D7, D10, D13, D16 and D19) are activatedand the light emitted from the white LEDs 184 is cross polarized. Thesignal from the power switch 102 is received by the microprocessor 172and a signal is sent to the LED driver 190 to drive the white crosspolarized LEDs 184 and may activate or deactivate user interface modedisplay 194 to let the user know the state of polarization by the LEDbar 82. By turning the dial 74 counterclockwise, the encoder 166 sensesmovement of the dial, and sends sensor information to the microprocessor172 so that the sensor can activate to determine the intensity forinitiating both the white cross polarized light LEDs 184 (comprising D1,D4, D7, D10, D13, D16 and D19) through driver 190 and the white parallelpolarized LEDs 186 through driver 178. For example, if the dial 74 isturned 10%, the cross polarized LED 184 intensity is at 90% and theparallel polarized LED 186 is at 10% simulating variable polarization.In this regard, whatever percentage movement of the dial 74 in theclockwise direction, the intensity of the light for the cross polarizedLEDs 184 is the inverse of that percentage. At the midpoint for turningthe dial 74, the LEDs 184 and 186 are at equal intensity, and thussimulate non-polarized light. In this way, by manipulating the inversepercentage of intensity between LEDs 184 and 186, the variablepolarization mode simulates the mechanical movement of a polarizer.

In a variation of the variable polarized mode, a user may tap on thepower switch 102 to toggle between cross-polarized mode (100% intensityof cross polarized LEDs 184) and non-polarized mode (50% intensity ofcross polarized LEDs 184 and 50% intensity parallel LEDs 186). In afurther non-variable polarized mode using the power button 102, a usercan hold the power button 102 while simultaneously turning the dial 74to adjust the brightness of the white LEDs 184 and white LEDs 186.

Throughout the disclosure, the term “parallel polarized” isinterchangeable with “linear polarized” and also is intended toencompass co-polarized light in the case of circular or ellipticalpolarization. By the same token, the “first polarization direction” and“second polarization direction” may refer to circular or ellipticaldirections (e.g. left-handedness, right-handedness) as well as lineardirections.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation.Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devisevariations that are within the scope and spirit of the disclosureherein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosedherein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other andare not intended to be limited to the specific combination describedherein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by theillustrated embodiments.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A light emitting diode (LED) printed circuit board(PCB) assembly comprising: a flexible PCB comprising: an LED portioncomprising a castellated portion and a non-castellated portion, thenon-castellated portion having a first end and a second end, whereinsaid castellated portion comprises a plurality of fingers, the fingershaving at least one LED attached to each finger, said at least one LEDbeing in electrical communication with non-castellated portion; a PCBlead portion electrically interconnected to non-castellated portion atthe first end of the non-castellated portion, said lead interconnectedto a power source for providing power to the LEDs via the LED portion;and wherein said first end of the non-castellated portion of the LEDportion of the flexible PCB is attached to the second end of thenon-castellated portion of the LED portion of the flexible LED to form aring.
 22. The LED PCB assembly of claim 21 wherein the fingers of thenon-castellated portion each have a first and second portion, whereinthe second portion of the fingers are angled relative to the firstportion.
 23. The LED PCB assembly of claim 22 wherein the at least oneLED is positioned on the second portion of the fingers.
 24. The LED PCBassembly of claim 23 wherein the at least one LED is bonded to thesecond portion of the fingers.
 25. The LED PCB assembly of claim 22wherein the second portion of the fingers are angled 30 degrees relativeto the first portion.
 26. A light emitting diode (LED) printed circuitboard (PCB) assembly comprising: a flexible PCB comprising: a baseportion comprising a first end and a second end; a joint interconnectingthe first end and the second end of the base portion, the base portionforming a ring; a plurality of fingers extending from the base portion;the plurality of fingers each having a first generally vertical portionand a second angled portion, the second angled portion of each of saidfingers extending outwardly from the center of the ring; and at leastone LED attached to the angled portion said plurality of fingers. 27.The LED PCB assembly of claim 26 further comprising a lead portionelectrically interconnected to the base portion, the lead portionelectrically connected to a power source for providing power to the atleast one LED.
 28. The LED PCB assembly of claim 26 wherein the fingersecond angled portion is angled thirty degrees relative to the fingerfirst portion.
 29. A method of forming a light emitting diode (LED)printed circuit board (PCB) assembly comprising the steps of: forming aflexible PCB comprising: an LED portion comprising a castellated portionand a non-castellated portion, the non-castellated portion having afirst end and a second end, wherein said castellated portion comprises aplurality of fingers, the fingers having at least one LED attached toeach finger, said at least one LED being in electrical communicationwith the non-castellated portion; and a PCB lead portion electricallyinterconnected to the non-castellated portion at the first end of thenon-castellated portion, said lead interconnected to a power source forproviding power to the LEDs via the LED portion; attaching the first endof the non-castellated portion to the second end of the non-castellatedportion to form a ring.
 30. The method of claim 29 further comprisingthe step of forming the fingers of the castellated portion into firstand second portions and angling the first portion relative to the secondportion.
 31. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step ofpositioning at least one LED onto the second portion of the fingers. 32.The method of claim 31 wherein the step of positioning at least one LEDonto the second portion of the fingers is completed by bonding.
 33. Themethod of claim 30 wherein the step of angling the first portionrelative to the second portion forms an angle of 30 degrees.
 34. Amethod of forming a light emitting diode (LED) printed circuit board(PCB) assembly comprising the steps of: forming an elongate portion of aflexible PCB into a ring by attaching a first end of the elongateportion to the second end of the elongate potion, wherein the elongateportion of the PCB has a top end and bottom edge, the top end having aplurality of fingers extending therefrom; forming the fingers into firstand second portions by angling the second portion relative to agenerally vertical first portion; and attaching at least one LED to thesecond portion of at least one of the fingers.
 35. The method of claim34 wherein the forming the fingers step comprises angling the secondportion thirty degrees relative to the first portion.
 36. The method ofclaim 34 wherein the attaching step comprises bonding the at least oneLED to the second portion of at least one of the fingers.